2010 Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux, Bordeaux

Very sweet, purple-fruited notes on the nose. Sweet and simple and open with some minerality. Dry finish. There is lots to love here! Cool finish. jancis_robinson_mw MW- jancis_robinson_mw.com 18 Apr 2011)

Deep expression of complex Cabernet fruit and fine aromatic lift of wild violets, the ripeness backed by perfect tannis, all in depth and harmony, a very exciting wine with a great future.

This is a step ahead of the pack, thanks to its dense, sappy core of kirsch, blackberry and plum sauce that's offset by mouthwatering acidity and a long iron note on the finish. This has weight, but stays velvety and pure, with impressive length. (james_molesworth – The Wine Spectator – Top Scoring Bordeaux 2010 – 31 Mar 2011)

To reiterate, the 2010 Rauzan Segla is like a super-duper version of the 1986. Displaying fabulous density, an inky purple color and a superb nose of forest floor with a hint of menthol as well as loads of creme de cassis, mocha and touches of chocolate and subtle oak, this full-bodied, deep, concentrated wine represents only 45% of the estate’s production. It is certainly not for those who can’t wait a few years for it to round into shape, as I suspect it needs at least 5-8 years of bottle-age, but it should last for half a century or more. A stunning wine from Rauzan Segla, kudos go to administrator John Kolasa for turning out this profound wine, which should prove to be a timeless classic from the appellation of Margaux. (95+ robert_parker - Wine Advocate - Feb 2013) Only 45% of the crop made it into the 2010 Rauzan-Segla, which is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. This wine has an average pH of 3.6, but at 13.9%, the alcohol is the highest ever measured. The tannin levels in this wine suggest the great 1986 Rauzan-Segla, while the personality of the wine comes close to mirroring the 2005. Dense purple, with hints of menthol, blueberry, black currant and sweet, earthy notes, the wine is full-bodied and displays terrific purity, texture, and overall precision. The tannin levels are high, but the wine balances them out with its impressive level of concentration. This wine will probably need 5-10 years of cellaring when released and drink well for 30 or more years, given the fact that the 1986, at age 25, is still an adolescent. (92-94 robert_parker- Wine Advocate- May 2011)